When do your sunscreens expire?

I just realized recently that my Keys Soap Solar RX Sunblock is expiring soon in October and I still have some of it left! I checked my other sunscreens and noticed that my La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL range will expire in 2010 but I couldn’t find the expiry date for some of the other brands.

Well, like all other skincare products, sunscreens do expire and like the other products, most of them do not list the expiry date. I found out that most sunscreens will last 2-3 years if stored below 25°C (source). Beyond that, the sunscreen ingredients will eventually break down, compromising the effectiveness of the product. I also believe sunscreen of natural or organic formula have an expiry shorter than the chemical ones.

Hence, you should not use a sunscreen after its expiry date. In fact, I would recommend you to finish up your sunscreen as quickly as possible after you have purchased it especially if they do not list the expiry date and you have no idea what is the date of manufacturing as well. And very important, always buy your sunscreen from a trusted source so that chances of you buying an old bottle or tube of sunscreen is minimized.

Okay, I know there is one sunscreen I have to chuck soon. For now, I’m making good use by slathering it on my hands and even my feet. And a very good thing is that I have curbed my temptations to buy anymore sunscreens. The last I counted, I have about 8 of them sitting on my shelf!

I kept on buying and hoarding sunscreens in the vain hope that I’ll start using it regularly. Never happened. My highest record is also 8-10 tubes at one point, which I had to throw out in the end. *Sighs*

I know it’s bad, but I just can’t help it. I’m lazy (I normally just splash some water on my face and off I go), and I hate the feeling of sunscreen on my face. I’ve learned to tolerate my Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion, but still not well enough.

MisSmall: I see… I can understand why you dislike using it. Since you do not wear so often, then the best would be to avoid direct sunlight whenever you can like wearing sunnies, putting on hats or using an umbrella. Clothing and accessories would definitely help protect your skin to some extent at least. And take more tomatoes! It’ll help from inside out too. 🙂

Ambre Solaire is from Garnier right? If the expiry date is not explicitly stated on the bottle, then I have no idea how to read it. I also haven’t seen the ingredient list but I imagine it has some preservatives. So you can keep it for 2 – 3 years but I think you should buy a new one soon as the sunscreen ingredient can lose effectiveness over time.